That's all she wrote...

Tomorrow morning when I wake up it will be 2010. That is even hard to grasp when I'm typing on the keyboard!

I remember when I was in grade school and I would do the math in my head regarding how old I would be in the year 2000. I was 38 two weeks into the year. So, now, add another 10 years to that... The funny thing is, I really don't feel any different. Last month I had some different pains in my knees that I had never felt before, but I thought it was because I was spending 8 hours in a chair at my desk everyday! It might me a sign of aging, but I can't say for sure - I've never been this old before. Anyway, it just seems strange to me that we live in the time that we do. 2010!!! Un-real. Exciting, but un-real.

I've known people who look forward to making "New Year's Resolutions," and I've known people that say, "It's just another day. Why should I make goals on this particular day? I can set a new goal any time I want." Well, I'm the kind that likes to take the opportunity of the turning of a new year to use as a guide post. I like to make resolutions and set new goals - however, I do it closer to my birthday. For me its a time to evaluate my own personal changes and needs as I age or come into new seasons of life. It helps that my birthday is really close to the first day of a new year too.

What I really hate though is that the people that set a new goal to get into shape in the new year do it at my gym during the same time I go. It never fails, during first couple of months at the gym, the machines and weight rooms are packed with people I've never seen before. And they are all way over weight! Not that I hate that people are wanting to get into shape - I'm a big advocate of staying healthy and being in shape. But I am at the gym at least three times a week - more in the summer months - all year long, and those people are in my way. I never see them by the first of March though so then I can work out in peace and quiet! So, essentially I try not to set a goal I know I won't stick with - like losing weight or getting into shape. What I do like to do is tell myself to have more fun with the shape I'm in - like go snowboarding more or snowshoeing - get outside! (Which is tough this time of year cause it's so cold!)

At any rate, 2009 is quietly sliding into history and being replaced by 2010! Lets all do something memorable this year. Make sure you tell your family how much they mean to you. Find something new you can really embrace and let your spirit take flight! In other words, go out and live - Life Is Good!

The key to success

I just have a minute but I needed to write this down before it left my brain.
I always hate being the first one to work, because my key never works very well in the lock on the front door. I'm always forcing it in and "jiggling" it around, try to "make it work right." This morning was no exception. Brian went out rabbit hunting with some buddies and I was at the shop before the other guy. So I pulled out my key and tried something different. Today I tried the gentle approach with the key. I didn't use any force at all and the key went in with out a catch, and when I gently pulled it out it came right out! I was so amazed.
Lesson learned today: force never gets the results you might be looking for, and all you ever get is frustration, sometimes even angry. But gentle persuasion always works, you feel relieved and may even find yourself smiling at your success.
I think this applies to most things in life - I have tried it with my teen-agers. I always find that our relationship goes more smoothly and we can really communicate better that way.
Today the use of my key was a success. I was the last to leave work today as well - my key worked like a charm! I even smiled at myself for how clever I was.

A Family Tradition Revisited

For the past 6 years my kids have spent Christmas eve with their dad. I had started a tradition many years ago - as a teen - where I would read from the Scriptures, the story of Christ's birth. There are many in the Book of Mormon, the Old Testament, and of course the New Testament. Some years I would read them all but most of the time it was Luke. For the past six years my kids have gone with out that tradition, because it only happens on Christmas Eve. This year was different. This year they were with me! I hope my kids always miss that tradition when are not with me.
I read first from Isaiah, chapter six verse nine. Then I read from Luke chapters one and two. I usually follow that up with my newest Christmas story book for that year. (I have bought one a year for several years.) This year's was titled "If You Are Missing Jesus." It's a story about a family who had bought a new nativity set that happened to come with two baby Jesus'. This Mom left her number and a note with the store clerk that said, "If you are missing Jesus, call: 7165." Then over the course of the next week or so she anxiously waited for someone to call because their nativity had no Jesus. No one ever called about that but she did get a call from a desperate Mom, whose husband had just run off, her furnace just quit - they lived in North Dakota - and she had small children who were cold and hungry. The lady with the extra Baby Jesus got her husband to fix the woman's furnace, her children gathered cloths and blankets for the little ones and some of their neighbors donated beds and furniture as well. All because of a little baby Jesus!
The reason I tell the details of this story is because of something really ironic that happened to us. At Brian's annual Christmas get together with his family, his Dad does two things every year; one, he turns and gifts a small bird house ornament for each grandchild and each of his kids (and their spouse); and two, he give each family a small gift of some sort or another. This year we each got a "coffee table" book and a small nativity set. The nativity was small and inexpensive, but I collect them so I was grateful for the gesture. When we got home and I opened the box to display it with the others I have, I carefully opened each piece and placed them in the scene. Low and behold I had NO baby Jesus! I have wise men, a shepherd, even a sheep and a donkey, but no Jesus. The sad thing is I don't even have a number to call! Since I don't really believe in coincidences, I believe that this a lesson for me to learn:
Always remember to include Baby Jesus in your Christmas traditions!

Oh Holy night!

What a relief. Our Choir program is finally over, and the YW program is done. I always look forward to the Choir's Sacrament meeting each year. We have been practicing for weeks and weeks for todays presentation. Why is it that on the day of the big event you can never find the right note at the right time? Last week I nailed them all. But not today - maybe I wasn't holding my mouth just right or something...
Any way the songs were wonderful arrangements - mostly Mack Wilberg's - and our Director is a member of the Morman Tabernacle Choir. We even had the largest choir in the history of our ward for these pieces. Our Bishop refers to us as the Southern division of Mo Tab. I don't know about that, but I do know I was struggling today. It might have had something to do with the fact that this year I have challenged myself to sing the first Alto/second Soprano parts of each piece. Usually a little bit higher range than I am used to. Like I said, I wanted to challenge myself and extend my range. In weeks past I did it just fine - well it took some effort and concentration, but I got the notes.
All in all, the songs and the message was beautiful. Jesus Christ was born into the world. The greatest miracle ever to occur to mankind. We celebrate that birth with Christmas. Amid all the controversy, all the political (in)correctness, all the anti-religious messages, and all the "holiday" wishing, I am keeping Christ in my Christmas! I don't care how many people get offended by my wishing them a Merry Christmas. I don't care how many people would rather see a Santa Clause than a nativity on my Christmas cards. I am keeping Christ in my Christmas! I hope you will too.
In Young Women's today, all the leaders recited, from memory, "The Living Christ" as our program and lesson - interspersed with various Christmas hymns. Each class did two songs. One of the songs the Mia Maids did was "When He Comes Again." I have an arrangement or two for my guitar so I decided to play while the girls sang. (I was doubly nervous with playing and reciting my memorized part.) Gratefully I got through the guitar playing and the girls sounded great! After we sang that song I just stood there and recited the second to the last paragraph of the Living Christ. I nailed it! Whew, I was done! Now I could relax. The day was over and I didn't have one more thing to do. What a blessing today was for me personally. I had been praying in my heart that everything would go well and it did!
That is why I know that Heavenly Father is a personal God. He felt to bless little, small, insignificant, me. That is why I will serve Him. He loved ME enough to send a Savior to atone for me. Jesus Christ was not afraid to do His Father's will, so why should I be afraid to keep Christ in Christmas.
And tomorrow is Monday!

The Happ, Happiest season...

Been crazy busy at work! "Cyber Monday" hits us hard. As well as Cyber Tuesday, Cyber Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and probably everyday for the next couple of weeks. With Christmas falling on a Friday we could be shipping up through the Tuesday before. So take a deep breath, here we go!!!
Went into work on Saturday to try and keep ahead of the curve. I'm sure I will have twice as many orders tomorrow as it is. So far I've been doing really good at keeping my cool and not getting stressed out. I just sit at my desk and listen to Christmas songs and polk at the computer keys while I enter over 100 orders in one day. REALLY looking forward to tomorrow... deep breath in, breath out slowly, deep breath in, breath out slowly.

Had a wonderful weekend. It was Stake Conference. Our ward sang in the Saturday night Session. We had the opportunity, of course, to listen the great messages from chosen speakers in our Stake. We heard one woman talk about how much our ancestors need us and how much we need them for both of our eternal salvation. She put things into great perspective. She made me almost want to get on the internet and get into it. One day I know I will get involved in my genealogy.
We also heard from our Stake President. He is a pretty inspired man. His message was one of great timing. We have been instructed to be in the business of rescuing souls. Whether we are the rescuer or the one being rescued, we will always need to look to Christ both as our example and as our Saviour. Today we were again taught great gospel lessons. Our first speaker was a 12 year old Deacon, with some very sage words of advise. Out of the mouths of babes, right?

So we begin. December will go by as fast as the rest of the year has gone by. Christmas will be here, like tomorrow, and the next thing I know I'll be another year older. But hey, it's way better than the alternative... I will do my best to calmly do my job and relish the season - and the goodies that come around too.